Inside the Rope with David Clark

In the latest episode of Inside the Rope, David Clark sits down with Mark Barker, Head of International at GQG Partners, a renowned asset management firm. Mark retraces his journey, originating from his early days in London's hedge funds back in 1985, and eventually leading to the birth of GQG in 2016. Mark also covers GQG's investment strategy, which is anchored in delivering modest performance above the benchmark. Since inception in June 2017, the fund has been able to do this, with returns of 14.10% p.a. net of fees to 31 July 2023, compared to the MSCI All Country World Index's 10.69% p.a. Mark also outlines how GQG develops a comprehensive global perspective, emphasizing the nature of emerging and developed markets, yet also noting the challenges they pose. The conversation also shifts to GQG's current market analysis, especially the post-pandemic shift from emphasising production to valuing profitability. Additionally, Mark and David discuss the enduring demand for oil, even as the world vigorously marches towards green energy solutions. Reflecting on GQG's decision to divest from tech in 2021, Mark offers a candid insight into the company's dedication to growth and adaptability. Amidst looming uncertainties around the U.S. economy, Mark still exhibits a level of optimism, citing recent economic trends. In concluding the episode, Mark suggests a bright future for active management but emphasises the importance of managing return expectations for clients.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, David is joined by Cooper Stainbrook of Ibex Investors to delve into Cooper’s recent research on commercial real estate and the potential economic risks. The episode begins by addressing the global trend towards remote work, discussing its potential to drive corporations to scale back their office footprints, possibly affecting office property values. David and Cooper also shed light on the precarious terrain for real estate investors, emphasising sharp declines in property transaction volumes and uncertain asset values. They also discuss the challenges confronting regional banks in the US. These banks have significantly increased their exposure to commercial real estate mortgages, potentially at the least opportune moment. If these banks suffer losses, Cooper argues that we could be looking at broader economic ramifications, including a reduction in credit availability. Cooper joined Ibex Investors in 2017 to assist with the research and portfolio management of Ibex strategies. Prior to joining Ibex, Cooper was a member of a four-person investment team managing over $4 billion at Edgehill Endowment Partners. Cooper graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Yale University in 2015.

In this episode of "Inside the Rope," host David Clark interviews Frank Macindoe, a Koda Partner & Adviser that oversees the Koda Enduring Equities Portfolio of ASX-listed shares. The portfolio has achieved an impressive compound annual growth rate of approximately 14% p.a. over the past 15 years. Frank delves into the current economic landscape, characterized by the end of a long period of declining interest rates, low inflation, and the pandemic's impact. Despite the prevailing uncertainties, Frank adheres to a long-term investment approach, seeking companies that surpass the broader economy, possess competitive advantages (such as intellectual property or scale), and are not heavily reliant on capital. He emphasizes focusing on companies with growth potential over a five-year horizon. Throughout the conversation, Frank expresses optimism for healthcare sector companies like Cochlear, CSL, and ResMed, which faced challenges during the pandemic but are expected to thrive as healthcare returns to normal. However, he avoids investments in banks due to increasing regulatory constraints. Frank also voices concerns about rising bond rates and inflation, which could pose challenges for long-term growth companies. Additionally, he mentions potential risks related to China's economy, US politics, and geopolitical tensions. Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), Frank recommends investing in companies that can leverage AI rather than attempting to pick the ultimate AI technology winner. He notes that businesses with a significant workforce may be vulnerable to AI-driven disruptions.

In this episode, David Clark chats with return guest David Witkin, the founder of Beryl Capital Management. They discuss merger arbitrage and event-driven investing, focusing on the current regulatory environment in mergers and acquisitions. The two discuss the potential merger between LIV Golf and the PGA. Witkin, commented that if it were a public deal, he would be shorting the deal due to concerns about antitrust issues. He mentions that the combination of LIV golf and PGA, which were previously competitors, could be seen as an attempt to eliminate competition, something that the Department of Justice would not allow. Witkin also shares insights on his fund's performance, emphasizing its compound annual growth rate and alignment of interests with investors. The conversation highlights the importance of experience and research in analyzing deals and managing position sizes effectively. He also discusses the role of antitrust regulators and their impact on deal closures and spread widening. He notes that while some deals may be blocked, the US antitrust system allows for challenges in court, with historically around 50% of blocks being overturned. Witkin emphasizes the need to stay informed by following court cases and dockets. The conversation underscores the less volatile nature of merger arbitrage and the potential for high-risk-adjusted returns.

In this episode, David is joined by Andrew Rothery to discuss the opportunities and advantages of investing in private markets. Andrew highlights the broad range of assets that can find a home in the private market, including equities, debt securities, and alternative investments like oil and gas. He emphasizes that private ownership is more about the needs of the investor rather than the specific asset class. The conversation explores Andrew's positions as a non-executive director in various businesses, such as a deep tech incubator and a property development company focused on community-building. He also mentions his involvement with Blackbird Ventures and LeapFrog Investments, showcasing the growing venture capital and impact investing sectors. Andrew stresses the importance of track records when selecting managers in the private asset space. He encourages investors to look for managers with a successful history and a proven ability to generate returns. Additionally, he highlights the role of advisory boards in managing conflicts of interest in venture capital funds. If this is done well, Andrew believes private markets can offer investors the potential for high returns, diversification, and the opportunity to invest in impactful and innovative businesses.

In this episode, David is joined once again by Chris Joye, Chief Investment Officer at Coolabah Capital. They discuss the current state and future of various asset classes, including residential property prices, cash, and bonds. David and Chris also delve into the basis for the RBA's 2-3% inflation target and its significance in forming their cash rate decisions. Chris emphasizes the importance of liquidity, optionality, and risk management for investors, favouring cash and high-grade floating rate bonds issued by governments, banks, or too big to fail companies. He warns of potential disaster in commercial real estate and retains his prediction for a peak to trough correction of 15-25% in Australian residential house prices. Chris argues that booming asset prices over past years have been driven by cheap borrowing costs, which are now reversing, leading to a significant change in financial market dynamics. He also touches upon the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decisions, suggesting there may be a few more hikes to come. With his contrarian views and successful track record, Chris provides valuable insights on navigating the market.

In this episode of Inside The Rope, David Clark interviews Neil Schloss, former Treasurer of Ford Motor Company and currently sits on the investment committee of the J-Impact Fund. They discuss the future of the mobility industry and the challenges of investing in it. Neil emphasizes the importance of understanding the business model and revenue potential of companies in this space before investing, as well as the need to diversify one's investments. He also notes the blurred lines between different areas of mobility, such as bikes and delivery vehicles, and suggests looking for technologies and enhancements within those core areas. Neil also acknowledges the safety concerns around autonomous vehicles and the need for continued education to address them. He touches on the potential for a shift in the revenue model of the industry, with the rise of subscription services and the increasing role of insurance companies. Overall, the episode provides a grounded perspective on the mobility industry and offers insights for investors looking to navigate this complex and rapidly evolving space.

In this episode of Inside The Rope, David is joined once again by Kim Morrison, the Chief Investment Officer at Argyle Group. Kim joins David to discuss the Argyle Water Fund, a fund that aims to provide investors with opportunities to invest in water rights and agricultural assets in Australia. By investing in these assets, the fund seeks to generate long-term returns for its investors while supporting the growth and development of the agricultural sector. By investing in water rights, the fund helps farmers unlock capital from their balance sheets, allowing them to transition to high-value crops and undertake long-term developments. This enables farmers to access their own private capital, leading to increased capacity to make their operations more sustainable. The episode also highlights the stability of the legislative framework governing water rights in Australia. Including the deliberate processes implemented by the government, including buybacks, to balance water allocation between environmental flows and consumption. Kim also covers the concerns about environmental impacts, such as fish deaths, which can be attributed to natural factors like rainfall and flooding, rather than excessive water extraction by agriculture.

Luke Keary, a celebrated rugby league player with three NRL grand finals wins and a Clive Churchill medal, shares his journey from sports to business. He dives into the importance of emotional regulation and how it aids performance under pressure. The impact of influential coaches like Trent Robinson shapes his leadership mindset. Luke discusses his unexpected pivot to finance, driven by a knee injury, and reflects on life lessons that transcend rugby, making his insights applicable to anyone aiming for excellence.

In this episode of the "Inside the Rope" podcast, host David Clark interviews Mitch Taylor, co-founder of Longreach Credit Investors and manager of the Longreach Direct Lending Fund. The Longreach Direct Lending Fund writes senior loans to Australian and some New Zealand corporate borrowers, focusing on highly creditworthy borrowers that may have been neglected by traditional banks. Mitch explains how the fund is protecting against higher interest rates and inflation, and discusses the fund's performance over the past 12 months, which has returned 8.74%. Mitch also touches on his background in credit and his experience working on a distressed credit trading desk during the 2008 financial crisis, which has informed the Longreach Credit Investors' approach to protecting capital. Mitch has a background in credit, including 16 years with Macquarie Group in Australia and the US markets. He also worked for Corda Mentha in insolvency and advisory work before joining Longreach Credit Investors in 2017. Mitch Taylor was previously a guest on episode 15 back in 2018.